Mural art therapy for young offenders hospitalised with a mental illness

作者：George Oleen; Kasinathan John^*

来源：Australasian Psychiatry, 2015, 23(1): 49-53.

DOI：10.1177/1039856214563852

• art therapy
• mural
• young offenders
• mental illness
• adolescent unit

Objective: To describe a mural art therapy project completed within an adolescent unit of a secure forensic psychiatric hospital.
Method: The planning, implementation and consecutive stages of the mural art therapy project are described. Pertinent themes are identified.
Results: A cohort of adolescent forensic inpatients was engaged in a group therapeutic process involving collaboration, design and the completion of an art mural. The participants generally approved of the project and identified themes of gaining a sense of achievement, empowerment, teamwork, involvement and ownership. The art mural transformed and improved the visual and spatial environment of the Adolescent unit courtyard.
Conclusions: Mural art therapy was acceptable to young offenders hospitalised with mental illness, which has relevance for adolescent psychiatric units and youth detention centres.

• 出版日期2015-2